5 EDITOR TRAINING PROGRAMS TO CONSIDER

From granular skills to industry history, these schools prepare students for professional careers

New York University, Tisch School of the Arts

By Isabelle Lichtenstein

WHETHER IT’S FOR FILMS, WEB SERIES, OR DIGITAL ADS, ONE OF

the most crucial parts of the post-production process across genres and mediums is editing. For anyone who wants to have a career as an editor, finding a great training program is key. Designed to instruct students in every aspect of the video editing process, from learning specific software functions to examining the role of an editor in the scope of a larger production, the following programs offer unique opportunities for budding editors.

American Film Institute Conservatory

MFA in Editing The American Film Institute Conservatory may be one of the most highly selective schools in the country, but with good reason. It prides itself on producing the best, so it only accepts students the institute believes will be the future of film.

The AFI Conservatory’s editing specialization trains fellows in the technical side of the editing process, while emphasizing how storytelling plays a part in edits. Fellows are guaranteed work editing at least eight films, plus the chance to cut films and work as assistant editors.

AFI also prides itself on bringing “master storytellers” to campus for talks, panels, and seminars. Past speakers include “Lawrence of Arabia” editor Anne V. Coates and “Spotlight” editors Tom McArdle and Michael Rezendes. At the end of the program, each fellow is armed with a full demo reel suited for their entrance into the industry, as well as all the knowledge they’ll need to be a top-notch editor.

New York University, Tisch School of the Arts

Post-Production Specialization NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts has a reputation for turning out industry icons, and its editing alums are no exception. Tisch’s editing program is housed within the film and television department’s post-production specialization, which offers classes focused on editing structure (both narrative- and documentary-based) and technical software training.

Students learn the core principles and techniques of production, as well as writing, criticism, and the history of the industry. This holistic look at video creation allows students to understand editing not just as a methodology, but as a storytelling tool.

As they progress, students get hands-on experience working on other students’ projects and learning more advanced techniques. Tisch also offers a wide range of equipment and resources: In post-production suites, students have access to everything from Final Cut Pro X and Avid Media Composer to Adobe Premiere Pro CC and Intuos5 Touch tablets.

American Film Institute Conservatory

University of Southern California

Post-Production Degree Thanks to sizable donations from alumni (like George

Lucas, who contributed $175 million), the University of Southern California is rich in both funds and support. If you’re interested in video editing, you can learn the discipline in the Peter Stark Producing Program.

Known for its technical training, the program provides students with hands-on experience and software trials, while also emphasizing film history and techniques. Students have access to resources like Avid editing bays, color-correction suites, sound mixing rooms, visual effects studios, and ADR and foley stages.

Run like a studio, the program challenges you to think about how video editing and post-production play a part in not only specific films, but in the industry as a whole.

Chapman University

MFA in Film Production, Specialization in Editing Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film & Media Arts boasts a Digital Media Arts Center that features a 1,500-square-foot directing stage, a 4K screening room, and an 18,000-square-foot digital arts studio. For those interested in editing, Chapman has a 76,000-square-foot production studio, giving students the chance to get hands-on experience with process; the program also promises students the ability to gain real-life production experience, not just staged scenarios in class. In the third year, students are given the chance to work with a studentrun team on a thesis project with a $15,000 budget. After receiving a well-rounded look at film production, video editors are able to split off into their specializations to further their education in specific areas.

Chapman University

multiple editing suites, a production design studio, and set workshops.

The three-year MFA program is mentor-focused, with a curriculum that zeroes in on visual storytelling, specific techniques, and industrystandard software. During the first and second years, students get a foundational look at filmmaking, and how production plays a part in the

Emerson College

Degrees in Media Arts Production Emerson College offers both a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of fine arts, both within the media arts production major, which offers students a wide look at production in general, as well as a deep dive into specializations like video editing. Students spend their first semester learning production foundations and industry history, all while attending production workshops.

Students are then able to dive into editing, with multiple courses offered that each teach different software and techniques with the aim of sending graduates into the world professionally equipped. At the end of the four-year program, students have the opportunity to participate in capstones to gain a BFA and graduate with professional work.

University of Southern California

Emerson College